Distoma
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
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Distoma
(Zoöl) A genus of parasitic, trematode worms, having two suckers for attaching themselves to the part they infest. See 1st Fluke, 2.
Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia
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(n)
distoma
The typical and leading genus of the family Distomidæ; a genus of trematoid or suctorial parasitic worms, or flukes, of which D. hepaticum, the liver-fluke, is the best-known. D. hepaticum is oftenest found in the liver of sheep, in which it causes the disease called rot, but it also occurs in man and various other animals. In form it is ovate, flattened, and presents two suckers (whence the name), of which the anterior is perforated by the oral aperture, and the posterior median one is approximated to it; there is a complicated branched water-vascular system; the intestine is branched and without an anus. It has been shown that the ciliated embryo passes into Limnæus trunculatus, and there gives rise to a sporocyst which develops rediæ, which produce other rediæ, or cercariæ, which are tadpole-like larvæ; these after swimming for a time become encysted, as, for example, on blades of grass, and in this state are eaten by sheep. Numerous species of the genus are described. D. hæmatobium. from the veins of man, is now referred to the genus Bilharzia. See cut under cercaria. -
(n)
distoma
[lowercase] An animal belonging to this genus. -
(n)
distoma
Same as Distomus
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary
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(n)
Distoma
dis′tō-ma the genus of trematode worms to which the liver-fluke belongs.
Etymology
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary NL., fr. Gr. di- = di`s- twice + sto`ma mouth
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary Gr. distomos, two-mouthed—dis, and stoma, the mouth.